NFL training camp 2023 updates: Joe Burrow injured, Coaches sniping
How starved are we for the NFL? Passes and catches from the start of 2023 training camp have already gone viral.
Every team has taken the field this week in preparation for the upcoming NFL regular season — which is just six weeks away. We will have updates every day of camp to keep you informed on the latest news, coolest videos and most interesting photos.
Thursday featured more contract news, some potential injury news and Sean Payton going all in on Nathaniel Hackett.
Elsewhere around the NFL, there were safeties with no shoes, wide receivers on fat tires, and Saquon Barkley, relationship counselor.
Here’s what you need to know from camps across the league:
Bengals’ Joe Burrow carted off practice field with calf injury
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was carted off the field during Thursday’s practice with an apparent right calf injury, according to local reports. In video taken at Thursday’s practice, Burrow was rolling to his right during drills when he pulled up short in what appeared to be a non-contact injury. He was later carted off the field.
Sean Payton rips Nathaniel Hackett for Broncos job, jabs Jets
Broncos coach Sean Payton has said he doesn’t want his team to look in the rearview mirror, but Payton took a long gaze back in an interview Wednesday with USA Today Sports. In an expansive mood, Payton called the work Nathaniel Hackett and his staff did with the 2022 Broncos “one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL” and said there were “20 dirty hands” around quarterback Russell Wilson‘s career-worst season that included just 16 touchdown passes and a league-high 55 sacks.
Dolphins CB Jalen Ramsey carted back to locker room after practice
Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey left Thursday’s practice early after colliding with wide receiver Tyreek Hill and was carted back to the locker room afterward. The three-time All-Pro participated in 11-on-11 drills in the team’s third day of training camp but appeared to get tangled up with Hill while in coverage. Both players fell to the ground and Ramsey sat upright for a few seconds before standing. He attempted to walk off the injury before leaving the field under his own power. Team athletic trainers tended to his left knee for the remainder of practice, and Ramsey was carted back to the locker room at the conclusion of practice. There was no official word on Ramsey’s status immediately after practice.
Jaguars WR Calvin Ridley says rust gone after year-long ban
It has been only two days, but Jaguars receiver Calvin Ridley said the bit of rust he felt in the spring following his return to football after a year-long suspension is gone. He feels like he’s back to normal — good news for the Jaguars’ offense but bad news for the league’s cornerbacks and defensive coordinators.
Healthy Chase Young another piece of Commanders’ revival
The most noteworthy thing defensive end Chase Young shed in training camp wasn’t a blocker — it was the brace that had covered his right knee late last season and into the spring. That, the Washington Commanders hope, will lead to a Young revival — similar to what’s taking place with their fan base after the ownership change.
Baltimore Ravens WR Odell Beckham Jr. ‘no limitations’ at camp
Odell Beckham Jr. did a dance at the start of his second Baltimore Ravens training camp practice, flailing his arms around while bouncing from side to side. Then, he turned around and sprinted full speed in a wide receiver drill.
Now 17 months removed from his left knee injury, Beckham indicated Thursday that there are “no real limitations” in what he can do in practice.
49ers’ Brock Purdy returns to practice, says ‘arm feels great’
Brock Purdy‘s recovery from the torn right ulnar collateral ligament he suffered early in an NFC Championship Game loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in January is not fully complete. For now, he’s practicing two out of every three days.
Cowboys’ Dak Prescott ‘guarantees’ fewer interceptions this season
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott did guarantee one thing for 2023 when he met with the media for the first time in training camp Thursday.
“I am going to lessen my interception numbers,” Prescott said. “That is a guarantee.”
More:
Budda Baker receives bonus, new incentives, source confirms
Saquon Barkley ‘disappointed’ with Giants deal, signed after ‘epiphany’
Jets laud Aaron Rodgers‘ sacrifice as Dalvin Cook set to visit
Chargers’ Austin Ekeler: RBs need to control the narrative
Baker Mayfield reveling in Bucs’ QB competition: ‘I know what I’m capable of’
Bengals extend DE Trey Hendrickson through 2025 season
Cleveland Browns: In their most extensive practice of the week at the Greenbrier, QB Deshaun Watson put on a show with a series of impressive throws. He found Elijah Moore in a soft spot in coverage. He came back with a play-action throw-back toss to TE Harrison Bryant. Then, he located Moore again on his third read for a big completion that drew a high five from coach Kevin Stefanski. The defense finally got its revenge, though, during a 7-on-7 session, when cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. intercepted Watson and raced the other way with his defensive teammates for the touchdown. — Jake Trotter
• How will the Patriots fix QB Mac Jones?
• Calais Campbell confirms Mahomes’ theory
• Rookies will compete for Rams’ OLB spot
• Jets’ defense wants to be No. 1
• Camp previews, roster projections
Washington Commanders: Washington has waited for third-year receiver Dyami Brown to have a big impact since drafting him in the third round. But, in two seasons, he has a combined 17 catches with two touchdowns. The coaches believe coordinator Eric Bieniemy’s system will help him — coupled with quarterback Sam Howell‘s deep ball accuracy. Thursday, Brown made the catch of the day with a leaping downfield grab of a Jacoby Brissett pass, snagging the ball by outleaping defensive back Tariq Castro-Fields. Washington’s top three receivers are set: Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel. But they need more than what Brown has delivered thus far; more big catches like he had in practice Thursday will help. — John Keim
New Orleans Saints: Defensive end Payton Turner, a 2021 first-round pick, has gotten a chance to rotate in with the first team in 11-on-11 drills. Turner got pressure on quarterback Derek Carr several times over the first two practices, although teammate Cameron Jordan joked on Wednesday that all defensive linemen look “phenomenal” without pads on. Turner was one of several defensive players who made solid plays, including safety Smoke Monday, who had a strip-sack of rookie quarterback Jake Haener. But the Saints are counting on Turner to step up in Year 3. Saints coach Dennis Allen said Turner’s hard work this offseason has earned him a chance, but he’s going to need to see the results in action. “We’re looking to see who’s going to be that guy that’s going to line up on the other side of Cam Jordan. And somebody’s not going to be given that role, somebody’s got to take that role,” Allen said. — Katherine Terrell
Atlanta Falcons: Two days, two interceptions for safety Jaylinn Hawkins as he’s making an early impression. Hawkins was a starter for the Falcons last season, but right now he’s running with the second unit behind Atlanta’s biggest free agent signing, Jessie Bates III, and Richie Grant, who played every snap last season. Hawkins intercepted Desmond Ridder on a deep ball Wednesday and then Taylor Heinicke on a short pass thrown right at him Thursday. Even if Hawkins ends up not starting, he’s going to end up having a clear role in Atlanta’s defense. — Michael Rothstein
Carolina Panthers: Rookie quarterback Bryce Young had his first interception of training camp, but don’t read too much into it. It was a miscommunication with the receiver on a stick route, something coach Frank Reich says will get cleaned up. Overall, the top pick of the draft continues to impress both on and off the field. According to linebacker Shaq Thompson, the former Alabama star put on a “concert” Wednesday night with his singing in the rookie talent show. “He killed it,” Thompson said. Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu agreed, saying Young “brought the house down.” — David Newton
New England Patriots : Safety Kyle Dugger intercepted Mac Jones in the end zone for the second day in a row, this time taking advantage of an ill-advised decision from Jones, who was scrambling to keep the play alive and forced a pass into traffic. Jones knew it immediately, dropping to the ground for a set of pushups as a self-induced punishment. Every play the Patriots have run through two practices has been in the red zone. — Mike Reiss
New York Giants: The Giants leading pass-catcher in Thursday’s practice were two newcomers – tight end Darren Waller and wide receiver Parris Campbell. It was yet another sign that the new additions are going to be key pieces in the offense. Campbell caught four balls during live drills; Waller had three receptions. One of Campbell’s catches crossing the middle of the field probably would have went for a big gain. It’s a big reason he was targeted by the team this offseason as they put an emphasis on explosive plays. Two days into training camp and it’s already clear that Waller and Campbell are quickly becoming quarterback Daniel Jones‘ favorite targets. — Jordan Raanan
Green Bay Packers: In what was an otherwise rough day for Jordan Love (5-for-13 passing during 11 periods after going 7-for-15 the day before) and the offense, one player who stood out was rookie receiver Jayden Reed. He snagged a 9-yard touchdown from Love on a post route with linebacker De’Vondre Campbell underneath and cornerback Jaire Alexander over the top. Reed also had what he thinks would have been a rushing touchdown on an end-around toss play. The Packers view the 5-foot-11 Reed as the perfect slot receiver in the mold of a Randall Cobb posters”>Randall Cobb even though the second-round pick played mostly as an outside receiver at Michigan State. Said Reed: “I actually like it, working with space, being able to attack guys, step on their toes and make a move. It’s really helping me out a lot to be able to work in space. I haven’t been able to do that in a long time, and I’m enjoying it right now.” Ideally, Reed becomes the third starting receiver along with Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson (who also caught a pair of touchdowns in a red-zone drill). — Rob Demovsky
Las Vegas Raiders: Accountability was a major theme of camp last year, players taking self-prescribed laps around the practice field after miscues. It’s continued thus far. Because after a fumbled exchange between backup center Jordan Meredith and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo on Thursday, the duo jogged off. Together. That’s one way for the new QB to curry favor and win over a locker room, no? – Paul Gutierrez
New York Jets: WR Garrett Wilson rolled an ankle early in practice, left for the locker room and never returned to the field. Coach Robert Saleh said he’s not concerned, based on the preliminary evaluation by the medical staff. Still, it’s worth watching, as Wilson might be their most talented player on offense. He’s having a fantastic camp.
Suddenly, the Jets are thin at receiver. They’re also without Allen Lazard (leg) and Randall Cobb posters”>Randall Cobb (PUP). Corey Davis (illness) didn’t practice, leaving Mecole Hardman and a cast of young, unproven players. One of them is undrafted rookie Jason Brownlee, who caught a 20-yard TD from Aaron Rodgers.
Los Angeles Chargers: Under the direction of new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, this much is clear through two days of training camp practices: Quarterback Justin Herbert will be throwing the ball deep this season. “It’s certainly something we have talked about,” Moore said after a workout that included Herbert completing a long touchdown pass to rookie receiver Quentin Johnston. “We certainly feel like we’re really excited about exploring that and I think Justin’s done a phenomenal job the first couple of days of giving ourselves those opportunities.” Last season, Herbert averaged only 6.8 yards per attempt, which ranked 26th in the NFL. “Balls are flying all over the place and getting caught,” running back Austin Ekeler said. “I’m excited for it.”
Buffalo Bills: Wide receiver Gabe Davis injured his ankle prior to Week 2 last season, and speaking after Thursday’s training camp practice, Davis noted that he felt like he “lost a step” because of it.
“Really couldn’t do the things that I wanted to do that I was doing early that camp and then the first game or you know, in practice and stuff,” Davis said. “So, it definitely was something that I was struggling with mentally just having that pain on my ankle, trying to figure out ways to get my head out of it and kind of just play my game.”
Davis said that he is now healthy and that his ankle feels 100% as he heads into a big season, especially in a contract year, with another opportunity as the team’s No. 2 wide receiver.
Chicago Bears: While the quick chemistry between Justin Fields and DJ Moore continues to generate highlight plays, it’s rookie wide receiver Tyler Scott who impressed Thursday with his vertical speed. The fourth rounder hauled in two touchdowns with his most impressive coming during one-on-ones where he accelerated to separate and beat DB Michael Ojemudia. Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy said the Bears are trying to keep everything in Scott’s “wheelhouse” so he can play fast, and if he continues his hot start, the rookie could provide an element Chicago has been missing from its passing game. “I am excited about where he can go,” Getsy said. “I think that he has come in with the right mentality.”
Arizona Cardinals: While the belief is that Colt McCoy will be the Cardinals’ starting quarterback should Kyler Murray not be ready Week 1, coach Jonathan Gannon hasn’t announced a decision one way or the other. On Thursday, though, McCoy continued to make his case to be the starter, if need be. His statement play during 11-on-11 came on a deep ball to wide receiver Rondale Moore. McCoy aired it out to a streaking Moore, who caught the slightly-underthrown ball while he was yards away from the nearest defender. In one play, McCoy displayed his arm and Moore showed he can be more of a vertical option this season.
Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers have big plans for first-round pick Broderick Jones after training up for him in April, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to be handed the starting left tackle job. “He’s got to earn it,” general manager Omar Khan said Thursday. “He’s going to earn it … We drafted him in the first round for a reason.” Jones worked with the second team in the Steelers’ first unpadded training camp practice as Dan Moore Jr. continued to rep with the first team.